Canadian Psycho vs. the Axe Murderer??
Rory MacDonald is one of the top welterweights in the world. He’s also the last guy to defeat current UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley, having done so at UFC 174. Rory came within one round (and one badly broken nose) of becoming champion himself when he lost to Robbie Lawler at UFC 189. That fight won 2015’s “Fight of the Year” honors.
Now Rory MacDonald is with Bellator however, and is scheduled to meet Paul Daley in May. Scott Coker has made some interesting roster additions in recent years, many of whom make for interesting potential opponents for the “Red King”.
Rory MacDonald Signs With Bellator
Rory MacDonald signed with Bellator this August. UFC had the option to match Bellator’s contract offer to him but chose not to exercise it. In other words, Bellator was prepared to throw money at Rory that WME-IMG were not.
MacDonald’s last fight in the UFC was an uninspiring loss to Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson last June. Either Rory was tentative, or Thompson was elusive. Either way Rory was on the wrong side of a decision. Scott Coker is hoping he gets the Rory who fought Lawler in 2015, not the version who fought Wonderboy.
Rory MacDonald vs. Wanderlei Silva
Recently Rory MacDonald was asked if he’s interested in fighting “the Axe Murderer” Wanderlei Silva, who signed with Bellator in March.
Someone asks Rory MacDonald if he's game to fight Wanderlei Silva this summer. He says "Let's do it".
— Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) February 21, 2017
With Silva and MacDonald each having reputations for exciting fights, Scott Coker is probably salivating at this possible bout. Silva is currently serving a 3-year suspension for fleeing a drug test in 2014 however. He will be eligible to return on May 25th 2017.
Wanderlei hasn’t fought since knocking out Brian Stann in 2013. He had been scheduled to face Mirko “Cro Crop” Filipovich for Ryzin (in Japan, where USADA can’t get him) but pulled out due to a nagging shoulder injury.
Is Rory Looking Past Paul Daley?
Paul Daley believes Rory isn’t taking him serious enough. He feels this could give him an advantage when the two meet on May 19th in London.
“I take confidence from the fact that I think Rory thinks I’m a little more of an easy fight than I actually am,
Some were surprised to see Paul Daley chosen as Rory’s first opponent, perhaps believing that a bout with Michael Page or a title fight with Douglas Lima to have been more fitting. Others believe Rory isn’t taking Daley seriously enough, and perhaps treating him as a tune-up fight. Daley believes people are underestimating him.
“ I’m a little bit faster than I look. I’m a little bit stronger than I look. There’s a little less openings than they think. And just generally, I’m better than people see in footage. Once you’re in there with me, it’s all too late. But that’s the feeling that I get, and I get confidence from it.”
